Federation of State Farmers’ Organisations has urged Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi to encourage production and sale of domestic ethanol by farmers.The Federation president, Kurubur Shanthakumar, who is also the president of State Sugarcane Growers’ Association, referred to crisis over availability of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) that has arisen in the wake of the U.S.-Israel war against Iran and said gas cylinders and stoves had been distributed to households under the Ujwala scheme with a promise of regular supply of LPG.However, due to the disruption in the overseas supply of LPG caused by concerns over the war, its availability had decreased, causing anxiety among the people.In such a situation, the farmers should be encouraged and given permission to produce and sell domestic ethanol, he stated in a letter to Mr. Joshi, while pointing out that such a move would also save valuable foreign exchange.He contended that the risk of explosion and related accidents associated with LPG cylinders will also be reduced as ethanol was a liquid and did not pose the same level of explosion risk.In the past, Mr. Shanthakumar said kerosene was distributed through fair price shops along with ration supplies. The government should allow ethanol to be sold to consumers through fair price shops and co-operative societies, he stated in the letter, which has also been sent to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.Published - March 22, 2026 07:58 pm IST